Elder abuse is a serious problem in the United States. Whether it involves physical or emotional abuse, neglect, financial abuse, or healthcare fraud and abuse, there are, by some estimates, more than 6 million cases of elder abuse every year?few of which are every reported to the authorities. California alone accounts for roughly 11% of all elder abuse cases in the U.S.

Often, elder abuse victims are female, but men are frequently abused as well, and those who are suffering from declining mental health may be particularly vulnerable. Perpetrators can include adult children or other relatives, spouses or caregivers. The unfortunate reality is that elder abuse can happen to any older adult, regardless of their gender, socio-economic status or other factors. However, elder abuse in the lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) community may be even more common. In fact, one small study found that 65% of LGBT elders report having been victimized because of their sexual orientation, with 29% reporting having been physically attacked.¹

Types of Elder Abuse

First, let's review some of the most common types of elder abuse:

• Neglect is one of the most common forms of elder abuse, and includes failing to provide necessary medical care, clothing or shelter, or failing to protect a person from malnutrition or health and safety hazards. Sometimes, the neglect is rooted in homophobia, with just over 8% of LGBT seniors reporting abuse or neglect that stems from this cause.¹
• Physical abuse can include physical assault, depriving a person of food and water, or unreasonably constraining someone, either physically or through the use of chemicals.
• Emotional abuse may include verbal assault, threats and intimidation, or isolating or confining a person. While emotional abuse might not leave physical scars, it can be just as devastating as physical abuse.
• Financial abuse includes improperly (or illegally) using an older adult's assets or property, and may encompass everything from telemarketing scams and identify theft to predatory lending and estate planning fraud. In some cases, financial abuse may be as straightforward as a caregiver stealing money from the elder. Sometimes, LGBT elder who is not "out" experiences blackmail or other types of financial exploitation by individuals who threaten to reveal their sexual orientation or gender identity.
• Healthcare fraud and abuse can include not providing necessary healthcare, over-charging for care, Medicaid fraud, and recommending unnecessary or fraudulent treatments or drugs.

65% of LGBT elders report having been victimized because of their sexual orientation. [Tweet this]

Why the LGBT Community Is at Risk

Of the estimated 9 million Americans who identify as LGBT, 1.5 million are older than 65. This subset of the elderly population is particularly vulnerable to elder abuse for a variety of reasons.

Older members of the LGBT community may be more likely to be estranged from their family members or to be childless, so they may not be able to turn to children or supportive family members when they need care. Others may face discrimination and prejudice, especially if they live in less-welcoming states or regions. Fear of discrimination and previous experiences of victimization may also lead some LGBT seniors to avoid seeking out healthcare and support from social services.

For example, LGBT individuals may face discrimination in some long-term care (LTC) facilities, including harassment, limits on visitors, rules that prohibit same-sex couples from sharing a room, or refusal to use recognize a person's gender identity. One way to avoid this problem is to choose LTC facilities that are known to be welcoming to all lifestyles.

In addition to problems in LTC facilities, healthcare providers may not be well informed about the special needs of LGBT elders, particularly transgender patients (some providers may even refuse to care for these patients at all). Older adults in long-term partnerships that aren't legally recognized also face challenges when it comes to both healthcare and estate planning. In these situations, careful estate planning and establishing a healthcare power of attorney can help prevent future problems and conflicts. Partnering with an estate planning attorney who has experience working with LGBT individuals is particularly important in this area, since not all attorneys are well-versed in the particular issues affecting this community.

Elder abuse is a problem that everyone needs to be aware of. Members of the LGBT community may need to be especially vigilant in their planning efforts, from researching LTC care facilities in advance to choosing the right estate planning attorney, so that they can avoid becoming victims of elder abuse and enjoy the freedom to live out their golden years in the way that they choose.

Read more by Chris Cooper, CFP^® on Google+

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Certified Financial Planner Board of Standards Inc. owns the certification marks CFP®, CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER?, CFP® (with plaque design) and CFP® (with flame design) in the U.S., which it awards to individuals who successfully complete CFP Board's initial and ongoing certification requirements.